A/N: Ah, finally, story where they don't die! XD I'm shocked because this was gonna be like a hundred words, and now we have this. Enjoy!

Ship That Sink Competition: Round 2 - Dramione - Elegant

The Houses Competition: Drabble - "Stop being so dramatic."

Word Count: 753

Disclaimer: Nope. Never Have, Never Will.

You and I (dancing all night)

The classical music fills the ballroom, enticing its listeners to dance. Women with sparkly, slim gowns are accompanied by men with slicked back hair and pristine suits to the dancefloor. Their smiles are miles long; they look impossibly happy. Their heels click clack on the floor. Their backs are ramrod straight, elongating the curve of their backs and the length of their legs.

It is obvious to Hermione that she does not belong. It is obvious that she does not have the same dance experience as everybody else. It is obvious she will never look as elegant as they do.

A hand lightly presses on her back, guiding her forward to join the other dancers. She turns, eyes wide and afraid, to her ballroom partner, Draco Malfoy, who smiles wide and begins to walk. His smile already resembles the rest of the dancers' smiles. Then she remembers his years of experience competing and how if they fail, it'll be her fault.

"Breathe, Hermione," Draco says, as they take their position. She glances to the panel of judges who are already writing in their clipboards, though the actual dances have yet to begin. "Forget about the judges. Forget that this is a competition. You're here because you love ballroom dancing. Focus on your dancing," he advises, looking fairly amused by her expression.

She lets out a breath she wasn't even aware of holding. Of course, the dancing is most important. She forgot in the midst of the intimidating competition why she wants to compete in the first place.

It's because she wants to feel free.

The first time she comes across ballroom dancing was a few months ago. It was like a light shone from the heavens to reveal the flyer posted on a lampost. She was stressed from school and her studies. The staff pushed and pushed for her to study more and think about her future. Her parents gleamed with joy when she brought home perfect grades but frowned when she dropped slightly in her rankings.

So there she was, incredibly stressed, looking at the lamppost in contemplation to bang her head against it when an eccentric female by the name of Tonks screamed excitedly at her. Apparently, Tonks thought she had been looking at the ballroom dance studio flyer. Hermione didn't have the heart to tell her she wasn't. So off they went to the Hogwarts Dancing Studio, Tonks rambling excited about how they badly needed new students.

That's when she first saw ballroom dancing. (It's also where she first saw Draco.)

She fell in love with their movements and expressions. Hermione wanted to look that happy and free. Of course that required her to practice for hours and hours. Especially because she wanted to compete when she saw Draco and Pansy in a competition.

As much as Hermione loathed, and still loathes, to admit it, Pansy is an incredible dancer, though her personality left much to be desired. To be fair, Pansy and Draco have been dancing since they were children. However Pansy left ballroom competing since she wanted to focus on Latin dances which she's honestly much better at. It seems like fate when Draco is left without partner. She asks him to partner up but is rejected almost immediately. He scoffs and says she has to get way better if she wants to partner up with him. She asks him every single day while making dancing her number one priority. Studying has always been easy, but dancing was hard work. He accepts her when she's able to do the basic steps nearly perfect. In the next month, they enlist in a competition. This competition.

Hermione can feel herself loosen up, as they wait for their cue. Draco glances at her, he felt it too since his hand is on her hip and his other is holding her hand up.

She grins, her stomach doing somersaults in the best way possible. "You were such a prat," she says, eyes dancing with mirth.

Draco looks affronted. "Excuse me?"

"You wouldn't let me be your partner." She raises an eyebrow at him.

"Stop being so dramatic. You sucked," he quips back, sarcastic tone and all. "You still do."

Hermione inhales, his statement is very true. "Then why'd you say yes?"

Draco takes a long look at her before looking away, a pink tinge spreading on his pale cheeks. "I don't know."

Hermione laughs, squeezing his hand lightly. As if on cue, the music begins. Hermione and Draco smile before ballroom dancing.